Samenvatting
The paper summarises Australian research aimed at measuring the effectiveness of the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) introduced to protect occupants of passenger cars against injury. The ADRs covered include: ADR 2 (anti burst door latches and hinges); ADR 4 and 4a (static lap sash seat belts); ADR 4b and 4c (inertia reel lap sash seat belts); ADR 4d (rear seat inertia reel seat belts); ADR 10a and 10b (energy absorbing steering columns); ADR 22 and 22a (head restraints); and ADR 29 (side door strength). In addition, the paper considers the break even cost and cost benefits of driver side air bags, a potential ADR for Australian cars (A).